Billy Ray Byrd
Billy Ray Byrd was born in Wetumka March 12, 1934 to James Guy and Katy Lenore Byrd. He passed from this life at his home North of town on May 25, 2023 following an extended illness.
Billy went to Hickory Ridge and Wetumka Schools and quit school in the 8th grade to help on the family farm. Billy loved playing baseball with his dad as his coach. He was a carpenter/ cabinet maker until he retired in 1996.
He taught himself to play the guitar at seven years old and had many musician / singers in his family. He played on a radio station, John Chick show in Tulsa and many places in Oklahoma. He also played in a bluegrass band and traveled to many bluegrass festivals. He played and sang at his church, First Free Will Baptist, every Sunday. He made two CDs. He sang and played everywhere he could, even as a guest at other churches.
His hobbies were coon hunting (which started at a very early age), and rabbit and squirrel hunting. He could squall like a coon and bark like a squirrel to call them in. He loved fishing, trot lining, seining craw- dads, fighting chickens, gardening, trapping and his mules Dolly and Reba. He also loved being with his family and friends.
Billy is preceded in death by his parents James Guy and Katy Lenore Byrd; brothers, Sterling, James Guy Jr., Marvin, Paul and Cecil; sisters, Ima, Alma, and Irene; daughters, Vicky Coble and Rhonda Parker and grandson Jordan Coble. He is survived by his wife Claudia of the home; daughters, Becky (Bruce) Giddens of Weleetka and Bridgette Byrd of Tulsa; stepsons, Tony Claybrook of Garland, Texas and Scott Claybrook of Pryor. Several grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a host of nieces and nephews, and many friends from all over the world.
Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Donnie Coble Jr., Billy Vanwinkle, Joshua Coble, Adam Osberghaus, Kyle Apple, and Dustin Coble.
Visitation for Billy Ray Byrd was held at Williamson- Spradlin Funeral Home of Weleetka on Monday, June 5 from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 6 at 2:00 PM at the First Free Will Baptist Church of Weleetka with Rev. Dale Smith officiating.